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Bakersfield vs Santa Clarita: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Bakersfield has a crime rate of 24.5 per 1,000 residents vs Santa Clarita's 23.4 per 1,000, making Santa Clarita 4% safer overall. Santa Clarita earns a C+ safety grade compared to Bakersfield's C+. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

C+

Bakersfield

California

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeC+
Crime Rate24.5/1K
Percentile46%
C+

Santa Clarita

California

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate23.4/1K
Percentile49%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricBakersfieldSanta Clarita
Overall Crime Rate24.5/1K23.4/1K
Violent Crime Rate363.0437.5
Property Crime Rate2089.01901.7
Murder Rate5.37.1
Assault Rate237.2307.8
Robbery Rate81.965.1
Burglary Rate319.3327.5
Theft Rate1830.11366.8
Vehicle Theft Rate425.1350.5

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Category Winner Summary

Out of 9 crime categories, Bakersfield is safer in 4 and Santa Clarita is safer in 5.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Bakersfield, you have a 1 in 41 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 43 in Santa Clarita.

Full Safety Reports

C+
Bakersfield, California Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
C+
Santa Clarita, California Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bakersfield safer than Santa Clarita?
As of 2026, Santa Clarita is 4% safer overall, with a crime rate of 23.4 per 1,000 residents compared to Bakersfield's 24.5. Santa Clarita earns a C+ safety grade vs Bakersfield's C+. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Bakersfield or Santa Clarita?
Santa Clarita has more violent crime at 438 per 100,000 residents. Bakersfield is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Bakersfield vs Santa Clarita?
Bakersfield has a crime rate of 24.5 per 1,000 (violent: 363/100K, property: 2089/100K). Santa Clarita has 23.4 per 1,000 (violent: 438/100K, property: 1902/100K).
Should I move to Bakersfield or Santa Clarita?
From a safety perspective, Santa Clarita has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Bakersfield (pop. 422,165) and Santa Clarita (pop. 228,430) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Santa Clarita's C+ safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Bakersfield and Santa Clarita compare for property crime?
Santa Clarita has lower property crime at 1902 per 100K vs Bakersfield's 2089. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

Bakersfield vs San JoseBakersfield vs San FranciscoBakersfield vs FresnoSanta Clarita vs FresnoSanta Clarita vs SacramentoSanta Clarita vs Long Beach

2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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